A leader of the ruling Awami League was killed in a “gunfight” with police at Teknaf upazila in Cox’s Bazar early yesterday.

The dead Mufid Alam, 39, of Nayapara area in the upazila, was the vice-president of Whykang ward AL and had at least six cases related to arms and drugs against him.

Pradip Kumar Das, officer-in-charge of Teknaf Police Station, said they arrested Mufid around 8:30pm on Saturday.

Gleaning information from him, a police team conducted a raid around 1:30am in Nayapara area along with Mufid. Sensing their presence, Mufid’s cohorts opened fire, forcing the law enforcers to retaliate, he claimed.

Mufid sustained bullet injuries during the “gunfight”. Later, he was rushed to Teknaf Upazila Health Complex where doctors declared him dead, he added.

The body was later handed over to Mufid’s family members in the evening after conducting an autopsy at Cox’s Bazar General Hospital.

Police also claimed to have recovered two firearms, 10 bullets and 5,000 yaba pills from the spot.

The Daily Star, however, could not independently verify the police claims.

Contacted, Mohammad Ali, president of Teknaf upazila unit Awami League, said, “The party will not take responsibility for any individual’s involvement in criminal activities. Yaba traders belong to no party.”